Do More 24, an online fundraising initiative for nonprofits and charities in the D.C. Metro area, took place on Thursday, May 17th to Friday, May 18th. OAR was one of the 800 nonprofits that participated this year and we were able to raise $2,664.22 for our new back-to-school program, Project Backpack! Thank you to all those who made contributions to OAR's Do More 24 campaign this year to do more for children of parents incarcerated. Your gifts make a difference in the lives of OAR participants and their families!    

Christian's involvement with the criminal  justice system began at age 12 with a variety  of drug related charges. He was finishing two  five-year sentences at Coffeewood  Correctional Center in Culpeper, VA when he  began working with OAR. For 10 months prior  to his release, Christian met with OAR staff  once a week for two-hour sessions. During  these weekly sessions, Christian worked with  his Reentry Coach to create a resume, discover strengths and talents which he could bring to the workforce upon his release, and identify jobs which matched his skills and interests. Christian also worked with his Reentry Coach on addressing issues he had been struggling with, such as coping with the loss of his mother and older brother during his period of incarceration, through self-reflection and motivational therapy. Throughout his sessions with his Reentry Coach, Christian frequently stated, "When I talk I can tell that you are listening and care what I'm saying. While I'm here in this room, I forget that I'm in a prison."

After his release, Christian continued to work with the OAR team to find employment. With his resume already completed, OAR staff worked with Christian to develop interview skills and attain professional attire including several suits, ties, and dress shoes.  OAR also worked with Christian to reunite with his children as well as providing Christian with a cell phone, transportation assistance, and clothing. After a month of hard work and dedication in his job search, Christian was hired for a full-time retail job at a local business in the City of Alexandria.  Having obtained employment, stable housing, and being reunited with his family, Christian is flourishing despite his many hardships. When talking about his period of incarceration, Christian stated, "Doing time is easy, but coming home and starting from scratch is tough. There are two ways that I can approach this situation, I can either hold my head up high and grind it out, or I can do what I used to do and get myself in trouble again. Coming back to prison or somebody's jail is not an option for me this time."

With your help and support, individuals like Christian who are returning home to the community can get a second and fair chance.

*Name changed to protect privacy of the participant. Photo is a stock photo and not necessarily representative of the participant.

This month's Volunteer Spotlight is on Katie, the  newest member of OAR's Emergency Services Team! 

Katie was born and raised in D.C., where she still resides.  She first learned about OAR from the Catalogue of  Philanthropy. As a part of our Emergency Services Team,  Katie helps provide services such as housing support,  transportation assistance, and food and clothing to  individuals recently released from incarceration. When  asked about her work at OAR, Katie said that she enjoys  “being able to see people and see the impact I am having  when working with participants,” and she has “never seen an organization that offers services like this.” Recently, she helped an OAR participant who needed housing support after their release and she was especially moved by this experience.

Katie currently works at a victims advocacy non-profit and notes that her current job and her volunteer work at OAR puts her at “both ends of the spectrum” of the criminal justice system. Her goal is to eventually start her own nonprofit organization working with individuals incarcerated and volunteering at OAR has been a great learning experience for her.  

In her spare time, Katie enjoys traveling and hopes to add two new countries a year to her travel list. She also stated that she loves living in an area where a large percentage of people are involved in philanthropy and giving back to the community. OAR is very lucky to have such a dedicated volunteer like Katie as a new addition to our Emergency Services Team! Thank you for all the work you do for OAR participants! 

Want to find ways of volunteering with OAR? Come to a free 1-hour tour and learn about volunteer opportunities! Click here to RSVP. 

Project Backpack

This summer, OAR is having a back-to-school drive, collecting new backpacks and school supplies for children of parents incarcerated! We will have donation sites located throughout the community where you can drop off donations, or you can mail donations to the OAR office located at 1400 N. Uhle St, Suite 704, Arlington, VA. Stay tuned on our social media and our website for donation drop-off sites and more information on how you can get involved with this program coming soon! 

Fox 5 Zip Trip

Friday, June 8, 2018

Potomac Yard Park, 2501 Potomac Ave, Alexandria, VA

Visit OAR's booth at the Fox 5 Zip Trip at Potomac Yard Park in Alexandria, VA! Fox 5 DC will be broadcasting their morning show live, anytime between 6AM-11AM. Fox 5 Zip Trip is part of a weekly Friday series that highlights communities around the D.C. region. There will be lots of fun activities in store for this event! 

Arlington County Fair

Wednesday, August 15, 2018 to Sunday, August 19, 2018  

Thomas Jefferson Community Center, 3501 2nd Street S., Arlington, VA

Save the date for the Arlington County Fair this summer! The Arlington County Fair is a non-profit volunteer-driven organization that embraces a diverse community by educating, entertaining, and showcasing the best of Arlington for the past 40 years for all ages! Admission to the fair is free there will be shuttle services provided from locations throughout Arlington. OAR will have a booth indoors starting from Friday, August 17 to Sunday, August 19, so stop by and visit us in between games and rides! For more information about the Arlington County Fair, click here to visit their website. 

Want to learn more about us? Want to volunteer? Join us for a free one-hour tour of our mission at the OAR office! Guests will hear about OAR's programs and services from the team members who are working in the programs, tour the OAR office, and hear participant success stories. We promise to start and end on time. Below is a list of upcoming dates/times. Please sign up here or contact Heather Pritchett at hpritchett@oaronline.org.

Upcoming Tour Dates: 

• Tuesday, June 12, 8:00AM
• Wednesday, June 20, 12:00PM
• Wednesday, July 11, 6:30PM
• Tuesday, July 24, 12:00PM
• Wednesday, August 8, 8:00AM
• Thursday, August 23, 12:00PM
• Thursday, September 13, 6:30PM
• Tuesday, September 25, 12:00PM
• Thursday, October 11, 8:00AM
• Wednesday, October 24, 12:00PM

1. Make a monetary donation to OAR by clicking here
2. Donate through United Way designation #8078
   • additional fees by UW are applied 
3. Donate through CFC designation #26226
   • additional fees by CFC are applied
4. Donate Target and/or Amazon gift cards in increments of $10 each for OAR participants
5. Shop on our Amazing Wish List: OAR's Amazon Wish List 
6. Attend a free 1-hour OAR Tour or an OAR Event and bring your friends: http://oaronline.org/oar-tours-upcoming-events/